The Met Gala might look like a glamorous red carpet dream from the outside, but what happens behind those closed museum doors is a whole different story.
As the 2025 edition gears up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, fashion’s biggest night comes with a laundry list of wild rules, even if you’re Beyoncé or Rihanna.
This year’s theme, “Tailored for You,” ties into the Costume Institute’s new exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which dives deep into Black Dandyism and the legacy of Black designers. But before guests get to enjoy the private tour, elite dinner, and live performance, they’ll need to follow an ultra-strict playbook designed by none other than Anna Wintour herself.
First up, absolutely no phones or selfies allowed. Yup, even though the Met Gala is crawling with social media royalty, the inside of the museum is a phone-free zone. Private dinners, the exhibit tour, and even the performances are all off-limits to cameras. That hasn’t stopped stars from sneaking mirror selfies in the bathroom, but officially, it’s a major no-no.
Then there’s the food. No onion. No garlic. Not even parsley. Why? To prevent bad breath and awkward smiles with herbs stuck in teeth. Basically, if it could mess with a photo or ruin the scent of the night, it’s not on the menu. Messy foods like bruschetta are also a no-go, you don’t want caviar dripping on a couture gown.
And if you’re a smoker? You’ll need serious self-control. Smoking is banned inside the Met because the curated fashion pieces could be damaged by smoke. Curator Andrew Bolton once revealed that lighting up in the gallery is a surefire way to never get invited back. Still, celebs being celebs, many sneak into the bathrooms to get their fix.
Surprisingly, entry to the Met Gala isn’t free, even for A-listers. A single ticket in 2024 reportedly cost $75,000, while a table could go for a whopping $350,000. The catch? Designers often foot the bill for celebs wearing their creations, since it doubles as a mega red-carpet showcase.
Even if you pay top dollar, you can’t just show up in anything you want. Outfits have to be pre-approved by Anna Wintour herself, and only after receiving the infamous AWOK, “Anna Wintour Okay.” And don’t expect to sit next to your spouse. The seating plan is curated down to the tiniest detail, with social dynamics, previous connections, and mingling potential all taken into account. Planners reportedly start working on the chart as early as December.
So next time you see those flawless red carpet pics, remember: behind the glam is a rulebook strict enough to scare off even the boldest fashionistas.
